The stage is set, the stadiums have been decked up, the chants are being prepared as the main leg of the ICC World T20 2016 will kick-start March 15, Tuesday. India and New Zealand will square off in the opening match at the Vidarbha Cricket Stadium in Nagpur.
India have come into this tournament as the No.1 side in the world and they are desperate to lift the coveted trophy for the second time under the leadership of MS Dhoni. Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar feels that India can achieve the feat as everyone including captain Dhoni, has played some wonderful cricket in recent times.
The man who has hit 100 centuries, feels that Dhoni's form with the bat ahead of the start of the ICC World T20 2016 is a good sign for Team India.
"No player in the world has ever been in good form throughout his life as he is not a machine. When I heard the sound of the ball meeting Dhoni's bat, I felt that it was a different sound. That was the sound that tells you that the batsman is in different mindset," the Press Trust of India quoted Tendulkar as saying.
The batting maestro heaped praise on the Indian captain, who has been spot-on with his tactics in recent times.
"The biggest asset of Dhoni is his ability to absorb the pressure which has made him a good captain. He has matured over the years. He does not show even when he is tense which is a good sign," Tendulkar added.
"Often a captain who is short-tempered or nervous can create panic among ranks which is not the case with Dhoni."
Along with Dhoni, Yuvraj Singh's return to form will also help India in their cause in this big-ticket event feels Tendulkar.
"During Asia Cup, I found his mindset changing, which is good for India. Again, like Dhoni, that feel of the bat hitting the ball was important for me but the most important thing has been Yuvi's footwork," the legend said.
Tendulkar is already sure about who is going to win the ICC World T20 2016. He feels that India's flexibility in their squad makes them one of the most dangerous sides in the world. Tendulkar also added that the celebration will not be different from that of the ICC World T20 2011, when India lifted the ICC World Cup trophy for the second time in the history of the game.
"The biggest strength in our team is that there is no predictable pattern in our team strategy. We have seen Yuvraj and Dhoni being shuffled in the batting order," Tendulkar added.
"Similarly, Ashwin has opened the bowling for India. The balance in our side is fantastic. So I feel, in terms of celebrations, April 3, 2016 in Kolkata will not be different from April 2, 2011."
